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The Magnificent Murals of Hutchinson, Kansas

August 26, 2021 by Vanessa Whiteside 2 Comments

Disclosure: Visit Hutch sponsored this post. However, all opinions and photographs are my own.

Magnificent murals are waiting to be discovered in Hutchinson, Kansas. The town boasts over 40 murals created by local artists that hide around corners and down alleyways. They peek at you from the tops of buildings and above passersby on Main Street. I encourage you to make the short drive to Hutchinson from Wichita and find them, especially the latest one at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.

Visit Hutch commissioned local artist Brady Scott to complete a mural installation on their Visitor Information Center. The artwork features Hutchinson’s skyline at night as well as state symbols: the meadowlark, sunflower, and wheat. The spray-painted piece was a partnership between Visit Hutch and Kansas Tourism. Visitors to the fair are encouraged to take selfies in front of the mural and tag #ToTheStarsKS on social media.

Scott, a Kansas native, has completed a number of murals in the state and his work is commission nationwide. Visitors to Hutchinson are bound to stumble upon his large-scale paintings. His contemporary style often includes animals, people, references to the prairie, and history. Suited up with a mask and gloves, he works primarily with spray paint in swift motions across his canvas. Scott often adds winged creatures to his murals soaring with freedom over a scene. Now familiar with his work, I can recognize it anywhere. Scott has done a number of murals in Hutchinson.

Scott’s “Bison Trail” mural (411 S. Main) was completely painted by hand. I appreciated the small brushstrokes that gave the animal’s coat texture. The bison’s piercing blue eye looks down at you from above as if to say, “this is my home where I roam.” The Latin phrase “Ad Astra Per Aspera” translates to “to the stars through difficulties” and adorns the work. The phrase is also found on the Kansas state flag referring to the hardships Kansas went through to become one of the stars on the U.S. flag.

Mural seekers will discover a piece painted with a sun, moon, and stars on the side of Salt Creek Interior Design‘s building (214 S. Main). Painted by a high school student for a senior project, it draws the eyes of passersby. I’ve always enjoyed the juxtaposition of color and imagery. The mural sits adjacent to an empty lot that is easily accessible by foot.

As you drive your way down Main Street into the center of town, you will notice numerous murals including “Community Mural” painted Shaelee Mendenhall (29 S. Main). The artist added brightly colored landmarks in the piece to create a sense of hometown pride. She is the same artist who combined forces with Kylee Baldetti to paint the “Spread the Love” mural series featuring heart-shaped murals in Hutchinson.

Keeping your eyes peeled is key when looking for murals. The Chester I. Lewis Plaza (15 East 1st Ave.) is home to three murals. The first panel (left) is by Brendan Martinez, the middle panel is by Josh Tripoli and Rebekah Lewis, and the last panel (right) is by Jocelyn Woodson. I recommend parking on the street and walking up for a photograph of the murals. What thoughts come to mind when you view them?

The three-fold mural pictured below was finished in 2008 and serves as an anchor piece for the Reno County Farmer’s Market Pavillion (115 W. 2nd Street). It celebrates locally sourced produce in farm-to-table fashion. The outdoor summer market takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays from May-October.

A mural by the local non-profit TECH provides a vibrant backdrop to Hutchinson’s downtown corridor at 14 West Avenue B. This one is by far one of my favorite murals in the city. It takes up an entire alleyway in width and the design is incredibly intricate requiring small brushstrokes. You must see it in person to fully appreciate the time and artistry involved in its creation.

Jose Ray painted this whimsical wonder on the side of a building located at Avenue A Park in 2013. I love the way her eyes are looking up at the top window. Ray’s works typically include fantastical scenes painted using bright colors. When not painting murals, Ray works as a DJ spinning tunes.

“Farmer Time” (111 W. 2nd Ave.) by Brady Scott beautifies the side of Sandhills Brewing Company. It makes a good-looking backdrop for brewery fans who want to take a photo to document their visit.

“Ad Astra” (Avenue A and Main) painted by David Loewenstein in 2012 shows a night sky full of stars. But if you look closely, the constellations resemble symbols of the Sunflower State. Which ones do you recognize?

A ferris wheel, which I think references the Kansas State Fair, is part of “Ad Astra 2” located near the constellations painting. Just below it figures enjoying Hutchinson attractions like the Cosmosphere and outdoor parks.

The “Rainbow Lion” (2 N. Main) leaves a big impression on downtown passersby. Painted by Jerimiah Tolbert, the colorful cat was commissioned by Bob and Ann Bush in 2018. It’s actually a stretched canvas print, but it looks like a mural from afar. The artist sells mini prints, coffee mugs, and cards featuring the lion here.

I’ve taken photos of this pheasant in flight mural many times while visiting downtown Hutchinson. Brady Scott adorned the backside of Sandhills Brewing Company (111 W. 2nd Avenue) with the bird scene. Although it’s referred to as the “Farmers Market Mural,” it suits the building well since the brewery’s interior is decorated with illustrations of feathered friends.

A hub of all things creative in town, the Hutchinson Art Center (405 N. Washington) showcases a mural on their building painted by Shaelee Mendenhall. It was completed in 2015. Do you see the city’s flag?

Hutchinson, Kansas is a vibrant community with murals to match. A short drive from Wichita, I encourage you to visit the town and slowly drive up and down its downtown while looking at street art. Better yet? Park the car and walk the downtown area. Not only will you see murals, but the town is decorated with public artwork of all kinds including sculptures.

This mural round-up only scratches the surface of Hutchinson’s street art collection. To view more of them and locate their whereabouts, visit this link. Do you know of a mural or artist from Hutchinson that deserves a shout-out? Comment below with their name and the mural’s location. I’d love to add it to my drive when I return to town.

Filed Under: Kansas, Travel Tagged With: art, artists, community, downtown, fairgrounds, graffiti, Hutchinson, Kansas, Midwest, murals, paintings, public art, street art

The Best Way to Spend a Day in Lindsborg, Kansas aka “Little Sweden”

April 26, 2021 by Vanessa Whiteside 16 Comments

Disclosure: Visit Lindsborg sponsored this post, however, all opinions are my own. All of the photos were taken by me. 

Välkommen to “Little Sweden” in Lindsborg, Kansas! The charming town is home to educators, artists, and business owners who celebrate their Swedish ancestry. Only an hour’s drive from Wichita, it makes an ideal day trip for travel enthusiasts who want to experience a picturesque small town with plenty of things to do from dining to exploring art galleries to shopping.

Lindsborg Kansas Main Street

DINING

Blacksmith’s Coffee Shop & Roastery

Considering arriving in Lindsborg in the morning? Grab something tasty to eat and drink at Blacksmith’s Coffee Shop & Roastery (122 N. Main St.) You’ll appreciate their freshly roasted coffee while seated inside the authentic, renovated blacksmith shop. During my visit, I tried the popular breakfast casserole and the biscuits and gravy. I recommend asking for a side of lingonberry applesauce — it’s delicious! (Lingonberries are a mountain cranberry in Scandinavia.)

The historic building is the oldest standing building in Lindsborg dating back to 1874. Opened as a roastery and coffee shop in 2017, it continues to serve visitors a scratch-made breakfast menu and seed-to-cup coffee. You’ll love the building’s original architecture and historical design from its brick-exposed walls to the industrial finishes. How many blacksmith tools will you spot during your visit? View their hours and plan your visit here.

Blacksmith's Coffee Shop & Roastery

350 Degrees Bakery

Freshly baked goodies await your arrival at 350 Degrees Bakery (118 S. Main). It is hard to choose between cinnamon rolls, muffins, cookies, and Swedish Kringler, a flaky puffed pastry. The Swedish specialties sell out quickly so plan to visit before the lunch hour. I recommend buying a bag of Rusk, which are pieces of cinnamon rolls double-baked to yummy goodness. They’re perfect for dunking into your coffee. Learn more here.

White Peacock Coffee & Tea Company

The best place to stop to quench your thirst while perusing Main Street’s shops is White Peacock Coffee & Tea Company (124 S Main). Don’t be surprised if you find yourself waiting in line at this popular spot. Visitors love their Sparkling Blackberry & Lavender Lemonade. They also serve light meals such as the Meaty Swede Bagel and Swedish Pancakes. Plan to stop there.

Crown & Rye

The Crown & Rye (121 N. Main) has been serving great food ranging from traditional Swedish dishes to burgers and salads to Lindsborg residents and visitors for years. It’s the best place to stop for lunch during a day trip to Lindsborg.

I ordered the Beef Focaccia sandwich with a side of tomato basil soup. I also recommend the Berry Salad, an iceberg and romaine salad topped with fresh berries, goat cheese, and the house vinaigrette. Everything they serve is delicious. Save room for dessert because they serve a long list of favorites. Plan your visit accordingly because the restaurant is closed on Mondays.

Crown & Rye

SHOPPING

Main Street

Lindsborg’s downtown district includes a number of artisan shops and boutiques. I enjoyed visiting Anderson Butik Scandanavian where I purchased a jar of Swedish Lingonberry Preserves. I also suggest stepping inside Trollslända Toy Store, The Good Merchant, and the Lindsborg Community Library’s Used Book Store. If you’re looking for Swedish candy and cookies, drive to White’s Foodliner and look for the section marked with Swedish flags. I came home with delicious Swedish potato sausage that I highly recommend! View more shopping options here.

Swedish Candy

ART & CULTURE

Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery

A visit to Lindsborg isn’t complete without touring the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery (401 N. First St.) on the Bethany College campus. Born in Sweden, Sandzén exhibited over 170 shows in Kansas and promoted “art for all” when sharing his work with others. He believed in art education and gave lectures to students at his exhibitions.

As a professor at Bethany College, he was loved by his students. The world-renowned artist wanted his artwork to be accessible to public school students so he donated some of his paintings to them. A prolific painter and printmaker, he helped found the Midwest Art Exhibition, an exhibition held annually in Lindsborg. He completed nearly 3,000 paintings during his lifetime. The Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery exhibits his artwork year-round.

Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery

To stand in front of a breathtaking Sandzén painting is to love it. While much of his work includes Kansas, Colorado, Utah, and Southwest landscapes, he also created painted still life and created portraits. Depending on the painting, you may see wide, colorful brush strokes with thick applications of paint. Other paintings highlight more controlled movements of the brush using deep, dark paint hues. While touring the museum, I also appreciated viewing the artist’s tools on display in the main gallery.

You can also see work by noteworthy, contemporary artists on display in the rotating galleries on-site. Visitors to the museum may be surprised to find that some of the rotating artwork is for sale.

Birger Sandzen Paintings

Admission to the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery is free. Donations and memberships are welcomed to support the museum’s ongoing efforts to display artwork, host music concerts, and provide educational programs. Plan your visit here.

Hemslöjd

Within moments of your arrival to Lindsborg, you will notice the Dala horses that adorn the town’s sidewalks and make an appearance hanging from front porches. Prized for their usefulness on a farm and as transportation, Swedes originally carved Dala wooden horses as toys for children. They were originally made in the Dalarna region of central Sweden. While you can find them sold in a multitude of sizes of colors today, they are typically painted in a red-orange color. As you walk Lindsborg’s business district you will discover that some of them match the business where they sit. My favorite is “Salvador Dala,” which is painted using Dali’s surrealist style.

Make sure to watch the artists at work painting the hand-carved dalas at Hemslöjd (201 N. Main St.). Guest can ask the woodworkers and painters questions or simply admire their handiwork. I was impressed with the process of carving and painting the dala horses and I know you’ll love witnessing the craft first-hand.

When touring the workshop, be sure to look up at the ceiling tiles! Guests are encouraged to leave their mark. Don’t forget to check out the retail store for Swedish gifts and Scandanavian home decor. Plan your adventure here.

Swedish Dala Horses

Small World Gallery

Some people travel to Lindsborg just to visit the Small World Gallery (127 N. Main St.). National Geographic photographer and Lindsborg resident, Jim Richardson, and his wife Kathy have operated the store since 2002. Known for his stunning landscape photography, Richardson’s work is sold as oversized prints and cards. He will sign custom orders, so be sure to ask for his autograph. Kathy specializes in sourcing exquisite, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, handbags, scarves, and more from all over the world.

Small World Gallery

I was fortunate to be able to visit with both of them during my visit to the store. As a one-time photography teacher, we discussed his work process and his future travels to Scotland. He is incredibly approachable and loves to talk with people who stop at the shop. He is a wealth of information! Kathy also took me under her wing to talk about the jewelry on display, which includes Berglagen, a blue glass sourced from Sweden designed in sterling silver settings. Together, they give store visitors a chance to learn about places they’d love to travel to someday by way of photography and beautiful jewelry pieces. To visit the studio is a total sensory experience!

EXPLORING

Other opportunities for exploration away from the downtown district include checking out the view from Coronado Heights, Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum, Bethany Church, Red Barn Studio Museum, and the 1904 World’s Fair Swedish Pavilion. Another fun activity to do if you have free time during your visit is to cruise the town to spot unique dalas on display.

EVENTS

Lindsborg knows how to host a party! Travelers come from all over to visit the town’s many events, including Lindsborg in Bloom, Våffeldagen, Smoky Valley Classic Car Show, and the Coronado Heights Run, to name a few.

I experienced the 60’s-inspired event, Lindsborg in Bloom, during my visit. Everyone was dressed in far-out threads to shop, listen to live music, and ate outta sight food. Kids loved the henna tattoo station and bean bag toss for prizes while the adults had their tarot cards read. As I strolled the downtown district in and out of the shops, music could be heard from a live band. It was a groovy time!

Bloom in Lindsborg

Whether you’re hoping to celebrate your Swedish or American heritage, Lindsborg keeps it fun for all ages year round. View upcoming events here. No matter your reason for visiting, you will have made memories and new friends. A visit to Kansas’ “Little Sweden” is a day well spent. I can’t wait to return.

Considering a road trip to the charming town? Leave your questions in the comments below. I’d love to serve as your travel guide!

 

 

Filed Under: Kansas, Travel, United States Tagged With: art, candy, Coronado Heights, dala, gallery, jewelry, Kansas, Lindsborg, lingonberry, Main Street, paintings, Sandzen, Scandanavian, Sweden, Swedish, Viking

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Hello! I'm Vanessa. Welcome to One Delightful Life, a blog created to add more delight to your life with delicious recipes, travel destinations, and lifestyle improvement ideas. Thanks for exploring my blog!

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